A new bridge to improve traffic flow is the latest improvement along the Dubai-Al Ain Road.
The interchange in the Nad Al Sheba area of Dubai was opened this weekend.
It is part of a broader project to improve traffic flow along a 17-kilometre section from the junction of the Dubai-Al Ain Road and Emirates Road up to Bu Kadra-Ras Al Khor intersection.
The project involves constructing six key intersections along the road and widening it from three to six lanes.
The bridge serves the traffic from and to Dubai-Al Ain Road heading to Nad Al Sheba, Meydan and housing projects such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubailand Residence Complex, Liwan, Meydan and Dubai Design District.
“RTA has completed 70 per cent of works in the entire Dubai-Al Ain Road development project, one of the biggest road infrastructure projects currently undertaken by RTA," said Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the Roads and Transport Authority.
"Upon completion, the project will contribute to the smooth traffic flow, while improving the connection with Ras Al Khor Road, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and Emirates Road, besides serving the existing and future projects on both sides of Dubai-Al Ain Road.
"The project will also double the road’s capacity from 6,000 vehicles per hour per direction to 12,000 vehicles per hour per direction. It will also slash the travel time on the sector of Dubai-Al Ain Road from Bu Kadra intersection to Emirates Road junction from 16 minutes to 8 minutes only, in addition to easing tailbacks that used to extend 2km."
The development of new suburban housing and a major expansion of the city into the desert is part of the city's 2040 plan.
It includes initiatives to boost the city's population from about 3.3 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 20 years' time.
